Section 13 of the Social Welfare Act outlines the
general responsibilities of municipalities concerning
social welfare. Section 17 of the Act lists the
particular services that municipalities provide. In other
respects, municipalities are responsible for the
development of social conditions and tackling problems.
The National Institute for Welfare and Health (THL) maintains a web portal for social workers and other professionals in the social sector. |
Social Welfare Tasks
Municipal social welfare work involves the prevention of social
problems, maintaining social security and supporting people's
independent living.
Municipalities
- arrange social services
- provide social assistance
- grant social loans
- organize guidance and counselling on social welfare benefits and other forms of social security and their use
- take responsibility for the development of social conditions and solving problems
Social services arranged by municipalities
Social work Social welfare professionals provide guidance, counselling and investigation of social problems and other support measures for individuals, families and communities. | |
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Emergency social services
Handle acute problem situations, such as concerning domestic violence, child neglect or after care following accidents or crimes. | |
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Home services
Home services provide assistance for older people, people with disabilities, in case of illness and for families with children in order to manage with everyday life and, for example, concerning hygiene. | |
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Informal care support
A relative may provide care at home for an older person, person with a disability or with a chronic illness and receive payment. | |
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Housing services
Support may be provided to enable older people or people with disabilities to live at home by arranging for necessary home renovation or service housing. | |
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Institutional care
Provides round-the-clock treatment in an institution for people who would not be able to manage at home using other services. This may comprise long-term, short-term or periodic care. | |
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Family care
This is provided for to enable someone in need of assistance and support (such as a child or older person) to be cared for at home and in order to meet their individual needs. | |
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Rehabilitation
All social services involve a rehabilitative approach. Rehabilitative working activities are arranged under municipal social welfare. If a client requires rehabilitation that social services cannot arrange, it is sought elsewhere. | |
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Child and family services
Municipalities arrange child day care, child protection, foster care guidance, child and family advice, family conciliation, paternity checks as well as support to related services, plus conciliation related to child custody and access rights. | |
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Services for older people
Social services required by older people include support for home services and for informal care, and institutional care. | |
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Disability services
People with disabilities mainly use general social services and only when these prove insufficient then require special services, such as home services for the home, assistive devices, transport and interpretation. | |
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Substance abuse intervention and services
Preventive work on substance abuse is promoted by spreading awareness on substance free lifestyles. Services dealing with substance abuse provide support, help, treatment and rehabilitation for substance abusers and their family and friends. | |
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Private service providers
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